In 2022, 99% of Utah was in extreme drought. Although things have improved since, over half of the state is still suffering from drought.
Homeowners are either preparing for a drought or overcoming the last one, so it’s important to use water wisely. Creating a xeriscape in favor of a traditional lawn is one of the easiest ways to conserve water and have a beautiful landscape in times of drought.
In this area guide, we’ll show you the best xeriscape plants for Utah and how to create a beautiful garden that can withstand the dry Utah weather.
Table of Contents
What Are The Best Xeriscape Plants in Utah?
Some of the best xeriscape plants for Utah include the Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Blue Flax, Prairie Coneflower, and Indian Ricegrass. These plants are adapted to Utah’s dry climate and require less water than traditional garden plants. They also provide beautiful blooms and add color to any xeriscape garden.
Benefits of Xeriscape Plants in Utah
It may seem as though Utah is full of natural water because of the snowy mountains, but it’s actually a desert. Utah is the second-driest state in the US, with just eight to eleven inches of annual rainfall. In this arid landscape, xeriscape plants come with some important benefits.
Low Water Use
Drought-resistant plants thrive on significantly less water than traditional plants and use up to 60% less water than turf. By switching out to xeriscape plants, you’ll lower your water usage and your utility bills.
No Need for Sprinklers
If you currently run sprinklers or a complex irrigation system to keep your grass green and plants from wilting, you can kiss it goodbye. Although xeriscaping plants do need water, you won’t need to run sprinklers or hosepipes to keep them happy.
Low Maintenance
Weeding, pruning, watering, and mowing are all back-breaking garden chores. If you want a low-maintenance garden, a xeriscape landscape is the best option. It requires much less maintenance, no lawn mowing, and hardly any watering.
Thrive in Utah Soil & Climate
Xeriscape plants thrive in the arid Utah climate, and there are plenty of varieties that can withstand both the harsh summers and wet winters. You won’t have to worry about plants dying off, and you’ll find it much easier to care for native plants.
Top Xeriscape Plants for Utah
Because of the unique climate and elevation in Utah, plants need to handle cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Luckily, there are some beautiful perennial plants that can do just that.
Ice Plant
This Utah native plant is low-growing and looks like a succulent. It’s perfect for ground cover but also likes to grow between boulders and retaining walls.
In the early summer, it’ll grow about three inches tall and produce vibrant daisy-like blooms in various neon colors.
Blue Oat Grass
Ornamental grasses are perfect for xeriscapes and thrive in the Utah climate. Blue oat grass has an interesting color that wows in rocky landscapes and can easily survive droughts. It grows about 36 inches tall and 18 inches wide, so it’s a nice, chunky xeriscape plant to include in your landscaping design.
Autumn Charm Stonecrop
This drought-tolerant plant is a type of sedum that comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Most types of sedum are used for ground cover, but the autumn charm stonecrop is an up-right variant with beautiful white foliage. It can grow to around 16 inches tall and produces pretty pink blooms in the late summer and early fall after many other flowers are finished blooming.
Rose Marvel Salvia
This pretty xeriscape plant is a type of sage that produces rose-pink blooms. It’s a small plant, growing up to 12 inches tall and wide, but it will bloom from early spring to the fall. It’s drought-tolerant and will thrive in the dry Utah summertime.
Furman’s Red Sage
Another type of sage that is well-suited to Utah’s climate is Furman’s red age. This one has tubular red blooms that hummingbirds love. If you want to attract pollinators to your new xeriscape, this is a wonderful plant to include. It grows about 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide and will bloom from late spring to late summer.
Designing a Xeriscape Garden in Utah
The Utah Water Savers initiative provides Utah residents with up to $1.25 per square foot of lawn replaced with water-efficient designs. If you’re planning on ripping out your lawn, make sure to sign up for the program before making any plans!
When it comes to creating your new water-wise landscaping, here are some expert tips to follow.
1. Have a purpose
Each element of your xeriscape should have a purpose. From walkways and walls to flower beds and rock gardens, map out each feature with intent and create a design that functions. Think about why you use your garden and what you want to achieve with a new xeriscape, and plan a design from there.
2. Use local, natural materials
Xeriscapes usually include natural stone and other materials that give it structure. Go for local materials wherever possible to give your xeriscape a natural, effortless look, and make sure everything is low-maintenance and durable. Natural stone, gravel, concrete, and wood are all popular materials to incorporate into a xeriscape design.
3. Combine function and aesthetics
Hardscaping makes your landscape functional; softscaping makes it aesthetically pleasing. After you’ve figured out where the hard elements will go in your Utah garden, add zones for your new xeriscape plants to add softness and visual appeal to the design.
4. Don’t forget drainage
You need well-draining soil to help your xeriscape plants thrive, so consider drainage when designing the landscape. Do you need retaining walls or large trees to redirect the flow of rainwater? Are there areas that are prone to flooding or becoming water-logged in the winter?
Proper drainage will help prevent soil erosion and protect your hardscaping elements, so give this careful thought.
Tips For Maintaining a Xeriscape Garden in Utah
Xeriscape gardens are incredibly low-maintenance. But to make sure your new garden looks its best, here are a few maintenance tips:
- Most xeriscape plants don’t need pruning, but if you have any larger plants or bushy ornamental grasses, give them a quick trim once a season so they don’t take over.
- Install a drip irrigation system for water conservation and to eliminate the need for manual watering.
- Control pests with natural horticultural oils – these effectively protect saplings and new plants from bugs without the need for harsh chemicals.
Enjoy Your New Oasis!
The most important part of creating a low-maintenance xeriscape with drought-tolerant plants is sitting back and enjoying your hard work. With less maintenance, low water use, and fewer costs, you’ll have a garden you can simply relax in and enjoy.